DNA leads to arrest in Everett robbery

EVERETT — Police have arrested an Everett man for investigation of an October robbery, thanks in part to a good Samaritan who snagged some of the suspect’s DNA.

An Everett couple were in a Safeway parking lot in the 7600 block of Evergreen Way on Oct. 3 when a young attacker grabbed a wallet from the hand of the woman, 70, and ran, police said.

The husband, 69, gave chase but collapsed with a medical problem at an apartment complex. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Rafael Aguirre, a tenant of the apartments, picked up the pursuit.

The suspect dropped a backpack before attempting to jump a fence. That’s when Aguirre caught up with him, according to police reports.

The suspect was able to wriggle free by pulling out of his shirt and running off. Aguirre tore the suspect’s backpack and hooded sweatshirt and pulled a gray knit cap off his head.

Surveillance video from Safeway showed a man wearing the same clothing as the suspect shoplifting from the store minutes before the robbery.

Earlier this week, an Everett detective received notice from the Washington State Patrol crime lab that DNA taken from the cap was a match for an Everett man, 24. He was arrested for investigation of first-degree robbery and booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

Aguirre returned to find the husband was unconscious.

When police arrived, officer Brett Gailey was waved over by a group of people. He found another Good Samaritan, Larry McLynne, giving the man chest compressions.

The man was not breathing, police said.

Gailey took over CPR until the man began breathing on his own.

Both Aguirre and McLynne recently received commendations at an Everett Police Department awards ceremony.